title image via Tennessee State Athletics
The Tennessee State University men’s hoops team ended a three-game losing skid and notched their first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season with a 95-86 win over Little Rock Saturday afternoon.
From Tennessee State Athletics:
Ronald Jessamy and Brandon Weston both recorded double-doubles to help lead the Tennessee State men’s basketball team over Little Rock, 95-86 at the Gentry Saturday.
The Tigers (5-10, 1-3) had four players score in double figures, led by Travis Harper II, who had 20 points and two steals. Jessamy tacked on a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Weston chipped in as well with a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Tennessee State out-rebounded Little Rock 42-39 in Saturday’s game, led by Jessamy’s 12 boards. The Tigers also collected 14 offensive rebounds and scored 16 second-chance points.
Tennessee State forced 16 Little Rock turnovers. The Tigers turned those takeaways into 24 points on the other end of the floor. Knute Wood led the way individually with two steals.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 25-22 advantage, Tennessee State went on a 9-0 run with 6:39 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Weston, to increase its lead to 34-22. The Tigers then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 44-32 advantage. Tennessee State capitalized on 11 Little Rock turnovers in the period, turning them into 13 points on the other end of the floor.
Tennessee State kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 54-40 with 15:16 to go in the contest. The Trojans narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Tigers still cruised the rest of the way for the 95-86 win. Tennessee State got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 24 of its 51 total points.
Game Notes» Tennessee State got double-doubles from both Ronald Jessamy and Brandon Weston.» Tennessee State found success from beyond the arc, knocking down eight treys in the game.» Tennessee State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.» Tennessee State recorded 18 total assists in the game.» Tennessee State had a 42-39 edge on the boards in the win.» The Tennessee State defense forced 16 turnovers.» The Tigers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.» Travis Harper II led the Tigers with 20 points.» Ronald Jessamy nabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to lead Tennessee State and Brandon Weston added
Up next for head coach Brian Collins and the Tigers (5-10, 1-3) is a trip to St. Charles, MO to take on the Lions of Lindenwood University, who find themselves on a two-game losing streak and currently sit at 6-9 overall and 1-3 in OVC play.
